I will admit it, planning for a trip is something I enjoy a lot, much to the astonishment (and relief!) of those around me. With many years of planning trips under my belt, I have curated my tried and tested travel resources into this page!
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels.com is without doubt my first port of call when I am looking for a place to stay. While the large selection and price matching is nice, the best part is that you get one night free for every 10 nights you stay! They also have some of the nicest and most helpful customer service reps I have ever come across, which keeps me coming back (and really, how often can you say that?).
For $50 off your first stay, click here.
If I’m looking to stay for a bit longer, or would like access to facilities like a kitchen or a laundry machine, Airbnb is my go to. It’s also perfect for when you are travelling with a group of people and want to have an entire house to yourselves rather than running between 3 different hotel rooms.
For $40 off your first stay, click here.
AIRLINES
A lot of websites suggest websites such as Skyscanner or Kayak to find and book the cheapest flights available, and this can be a great way to save money. However, if you travel a fair bit, I think it’s worth it to stick with one or two airlines (especially if they are part of the same alliance such as One world or Star Alliance) to build up air miles and move up in their loyalty schemes. While this might be a bit more expensive in the beginning, it will give you access to things such as lounges, free upgrades and even dedicated customer service lines which can make your travelling experience a lot more pleasant. And soon you’ll be able to use those miles towards free flights, which is always an amazing feeling.
I tend to fly British Airways and American Airlines (both part of One world) since they operate a lot of flights on the routes I tend to use the most, but pick the airlines that work the best for you!
TRANSPORT
Google maps is my first port of call for planning my movements both within and in between cities. Whether it’s to get a feel for where different attractions are in Paris, to estimate drive times and the route between Dallas and Austin, or even to see what trains to take on the DC Metro, Google maps has it all!
Rome2Rio is another great resource that I use when I’m trying to decide between multiple transport options. Not only does it list the multiple ways that you can get between two points, it also estimates the time and cost of each option!
TRAVEL GEAR
When it comes to my travel gear, functionality and durability are my priorities. The last thing anyone needs is a handle breaking and all your belongings tumbling out in the middle of an airport or a train station when you are in a hurry. Below are some of my favourite items that I know I can rely on.
When I use a suitcase, it’s almost always Samsonite, and with good reason. Their bags come with a 10 year warranty and I have never had a singe one break, despite all the abuse I (and the baggage handlers) put it through!
Another item I rarely travel without is my Longchamp le pliage tote. It is stylish, water resistant, roomy and can be folded away easily when not needed. I am constantly amazed by just how much I can fit into this bag, and the zipper has never failed me all these years.
If you want to keep the inside of your bag organised, use packing cubes. I generally use one for tops and dresses, one for underwear and one for electronics. If you’re really trying to maximise space, you can find cubes that compress down as well. I have had these particular cubes for many years now, and they are still going strong.
Comfortable boots that are waterproof and stylish? Yes, such a thing does exist. These gore-tex boots from Ecco are my staples when I am travelling to areas with colder or wetter weather. They are on the pricier side, but they last for many years with proper care.
